Hiking Trails in Orange County

The Quail Hill Trailhead, Irvineis located at one end of Sand Canyon Road and this is where the Quail Hill Loop Trail starts. This moderately difficult 9-mile dirt trail goes up the Quail Hill through the scenic wilderness area and you will quickly gain 1,702 feet in elevation.

The view from the top of the hill goes all the way to Palos Verdes. You can bring your dog on the leash.

34 Shady Canyon, Irvine, CA 92603

San Clemente's Ridgeline Trail is a fairly easy paved 4.7-mile round trip hike along a ridgeline high above the city of San Clemente, with an elevation gain of 1,545 feet. The trail starts at the end of Calle Cordillera and follows the ridgeline until you reach the water tower, which is the turnaround point.

Enjoy the views in all directions - towards Dana Point marina, the Santiago and Modjeska peaks, and sometimes even San Clemente and Catalina Island. The trail is pleasant all year round and you can even take your dog with you.

Sitton Peak is a fantastic place to get a wonderful view of the entire Cleveland National Forest. The Sitton Peak Trail is 10 miles long, moderately difficult, and will give you a nice workout with the elevation gain of 2,150 feet. At 3,273 feet above sea level, Sitton Peak has 360-degree views of the Cleveland National Forest, the expanse of the ocean, and Catalina Island on a clear day. Starting as a single-track path, the trail later follows various double-track fire roads. The last bit before reaching the peak will force you to scramble a bit and the trail is fairly overgrown, but the view from the top is worth it.

Sitton Peak, CA 92530

The Chiquito Falls Trail is an 8.7-mile intermediately difficult loop trail located near Lake Elsinore. You will gain almost 3,000 feet in elevation, but you will see not only Chiquito Falls, which are your turnaround point, but also the smaller San Juan Falls on the way.

The trailhead is located near the Candy Store on the Ortega Highway, where you need to purchase a nature pass since you will be hiking through the Cleveland National Forest. The trail up to the San Juan Falls is often busy since it is so close to the highway, but the rest of the way to the Chiquito Falls goes through the lovely shady oak forest and you will enjoy the peace and quiet.

34040 Ortega Hwy, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is a 4,500-acre regional park in the San Joaquin Hills in California consisting of diverse ecosystems of rugged canyons, old woodlands, and open grassland.

The only trailhead for the main trail through the park is the Awma Road parking lot off Alicia Parkway.

The almost 30-mile trail will take you through stands of mature oaks and elderberry trees and across two lively streams. The park is full of endangered plants and animals and is designated a wildlife sanctuary.

28373 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-1355

Black Star Canyon Trail is a 6.8-mile fairly difficult trail in the Santa Ana Mountains that does not see much traffic.

No wonder, you will gain over 1,000 feet by the time you reach the top of the canyon.

The trail is challenging, with large rocks and several brooks you will have to jump over. The waterfall you will pass by becomes much more interesting after a good rainfall.

11893-12247 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676

Carbon Canyon Regional Park is 124-acre diverse park located upstream from the Carbon Canyon Dam. It has nice, spacious grassy spots for picnics and ball games as well as a tennis court. A 4-acre lake in the park has a fishing pier. An undeveloped part of the park has a hiking trail through a magnificent 2-acre grove of redwoods. Park staff offers guided tours through the park for bird watchers and nature lovers.

4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, CA 92823

Colinas Bluff Trail is a 7-mile dirt trail that follows the ridge of the bluff from Camino Los Padres. The trail is easy and mostly flat and you will gain only 125 feet in elevation. As most of the trail passes through the San Juan Capistrano, you will have to share the trail with many horseback riders from the nearby stables. From any point of the trail, you will enjoy spectacular views of Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, and the vast ocean beyond.

Laguna Niguel, CA

The narrow 2.5-mile-long El Modena Open Space Trail is a loop trail through Santiago Oaks Regional Park located in the city of Orange. It runs through a steep-sided small mountain range covered in cactus and sage scrub that grows over colorful 15-million-year-old volcanic rock. The trail is considered moderately difficult. It climbs about 700 feet from the trailhead.

300 N Canon St, Orange, CA 92869